CoPilot Tips & Tricks III – Customise CoPilot

We know that every driver is different. Whether you are a daily commuter, motorhome adventurer or long-distance driver, with CoPilot you can personalise the app to fit your needs. Since the first version of CoPilot in 1997 (!), we have developed CoPilot so you can adapt the app to your needs. We are in good company when it comes to the trend towards software personalisation as both Google and Apple have jumped on the bandwagon. Find out how you can customise your CoPilot:

How can I customise my CoPilot?

To start, head to the Settings menu. You will see the following options:

Map Display & Guidance: In this menu you can personalise the location info display, POI display (for example if you want to see all petrol stations on the map), zoom and rotation of the map, turn restrictions display and settings regarding ClearTurn and turn warnings.

Vehicle Routing Profiles: Create and name your own routing profile depending on your vehicle. You drive a car during the week and a motorcycle on the weekends? No problem with CoPilot: Easily switch between different profiles and customise routing settings for quickest/shortest route, congestion zone warnings, toll roads, ferries and overall road preference.

ActiveTraffic™: Who wants to be stuck in traffic? Enable ActiveTraffic™ and display the traffic bar to know about road congestion in advance and get automatically rerouted if there is a traffic jam ahead. Find out more here >

Regional & Voices: With CoPilot you won’t need to do any mental gymnastics to calculate your distance to destination in kilometres or wonder how much a 30km/h speed limit is in mph. Set your units to metric or imperial in this menu and feel confident the next time you drive on the continent. Additionally, you can use CoPilot in 32 (!) languages, so next time you want to brush up on your Spanish skills, head here 🙂

Styles: We know you have your own style, so you need a map that fits you. Choose between eleven dark or light map styles and customise your day and night interface.

Sound: You want to listen to music during your drive? Personalise your sound settings in this menu.

Data & Battery: We give you full control over how/if CoPilot uses data and your battery. You are heading to the USA and want to make sure CoPilot does not use data? Additionally to your device settings, you can de-activate cellular data usage directly in CoPilot or decide if the app should use low power mode.

Have questions? Get more information about customisation in CoPilot in our FAQs.

CoPilot Tips & Tricks II – Multi-Stop Trip Planning

Autumn and winter can be busy periods for drivers: The kids are back at school and need to be picked up from their sports or music lessons. Christmas is looming on the horizon and so is the inevitable shopping spree. The Christmas timeis a well-deserved break to visit relatives or go on a small city adventure.

How do you find the best route to your destination when you have many stops on your way? With CoPilot’s multi-stop trip planning tools you can add up to 100 stops to your route and CoPilot will calculate the best route. Here’s how it works:

How to plan a multi-stop trip?

First, add all your stops (yellow dots) and final destination (red dot) by using the Plan menu and tapping Add Stop. You can use any of CoPilot’s search tools to find the correct address:

Home or Work

Address

POIs (such as petrol stations, banks, parking, shopping centres,…)

Recents

Favourites

Search Online

Once you have found the right stop, add it to your route with the blue plus sign. CoPilot lets you calculate routes with up to 100 stops (!).

How to bring your stops in the best order?

Now that you have added all your stops, tap the three dots menu on the upper right hand corner. Choose Optimise Stops to arrange the stops in the best order. You can choose if you want to include your final destination or not. If your final destination is your home or work for example, we recommend you do not include it in the optimisation. Select Calculate and you’re all set.

You want to find out more about trip planning? Check out this handy video tutorial:

CoPilot Tips & Tricks I – Traffic

You know the feeling: You need to be at your meeting in 30 minutes but you’re stuck in traffic. You are tired after a long day at work and your drive home is turning into a commuter nightmare. Perhaps you want to go for a long weekend trip to France, but one million other drivers had the same idea.

With CoPilot’s ActiveTraffic™ real-time service, you can see road congestion on your route ahead of time and automatically receive an alternative route to get to your destination on time. Here is how you can make the most of ActiveTraffic™:

How to get ActiveTraffic™?

If you are a CoPilot GPS user (grey app icon) you can test drive ActiveTraffic™ for 7 days for free within your trial period. Great news if you have purchased one of our CoPilot or CoPilot Caravan apps, you get 1 year traffic information for free. To buy or extend your ActiveTraffic™ for another year, go to the Main Menu > Store and tap on ActiveTraffic™. Sign in with your Apple ID/Touch ID/Google ID. Make sure that your payment information is correctly set up in iTunes or Google Play. Once you confirm the purchase, you will see a green checkmark next to the feature.

How to activate the feature?

Before getting behind the wheel, make sure to activate traffic by going to Settings > ActiveTraffic™ and tap Enable Traffic Service. We also recommend to activate Display Traffic Bar so you can see congestion on your route ahead of time. Please note that although CoPilot allows offline navigation, our traffic service requires a data connection to update you in real time. You can find out more about average data usage in our FAQ.

Driving with ActiveTraffic™

You have activated your ActiveTraffic™, now it’s time to hit the road. Once you have planned a route and you’re ready to go, ActiveTraffic provides you with a traffic bar on your screen to show the traffic along your route in a way that you can understand. Plus, you’ve got the most accurate ETA with real-time information for your drive.

Before you hit the road, make sure to check the traffic map by tapping on the traffic bar. The map will outline your route, show you the traffic nearby and display your current delay. If the route is looking too congested for your liking, just tap the Alternate Route option at the bottom of the screen. Incident reports let you know about detours, closed roads and other events as you drive.

Get traffic alerts with a faster alternate route option if it’s available.

If you have further questions about ActiveTraffic™, please visit our website or our FAQ. Happy travels!

Travel Tips With ActiveTraffic

Being stuck in traffic is never fun, especially when it’s Friday. Before hitting the road, you might want to read this. Sitting in traffic can be so frustrating (just try not to imagine all the ways you could better spend that time) and can even burn a hole in your pocket with fuel costs. According to inrix.com, commuters in the UK spend 30 hours per year sat in traffic. London drivers are even worse off, spending 73.4 hours per year in the infamous London traffic jams. London is the second most congested city in all of Europe. If that makes you throw your hands up in despair, you’re not alone. We feel your pain.

Did you know our ActiveTraffic service is one of our most popular features in CoPilot?

Here’s why:

1.Not being stuck in traffic means you’ll save time AND petrol – great for your wallet.

2. Whether commuting to work, running an errand or on a weekend getaway, you’ll appreciate a stress free trip with a lot less time spent on the road and more time spent at your destination.

3. Right now, it costs less than a gallon of petrol to keep your sanity and avoid the traffic chaos.

Our ActiveTraffic service is 50% off for Black Friday. This is our low, lower, lowest price of the year – can this get any better?

Size Matters: Customise Your Caravan Routing

We all know that one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why CoPilot Caravan safely calculates your route based on your caravan’s dimensions so you only drive on roads suitable for your caravan size and class.

Here’s how to set up your customised caravan routing profile:

In the Main Menu, tap Settings > Vehicle Routing Profiles

Select Caravan as your vehicle type, tap View/Edit

Choose Caravan Dimensions

You can select from a list of industry standard caravan dimensions or use the ‘Custom size restrictions’ option to enter the Max Height, Max Width, Caravan Length and Total Weight of your Caravan/Motorhome.

Almost done, just enter a name for your caravan profile and save it.

You’re all set. CoPilot Caravan is ready to take you on your next adventure.

How to get in-app upgrades?

We’d like to make it easy for you to navigate with CoPilot and get all the features you need on the road. You downloaded CoPilot GPS and you want to continue using the app after your trial has expired? Or you planned a road trip to France and are looking for the right maps? Perhaps your traffic service has expired and you’d like to purchase another 12 months so you can avoid traffic when you commute. Here is how you can get all the handy navigation features you need in CoPilot via in-app purchase (= feature you can buy directly in the app):

How to upgrade to full 3D voice-guided navigation in CoPilot GPS?

From your driving screen, go to the Main Menu > Store and tap on Unlimited Premium Voice -Guided Navigation. You will then be asked to sign in with your Apple ID/Touch ID/Google ID. Make sure that your payment information is correctly set up in iTunes or Google Play. Once you confirm the purchase, you will see a green checkmark next to the feature. Now you’re all set to navigate with 3D maps, automatic re-routing and voice guidance.

How to buy additional maps?

From your driving screen, go to the Main Menu > Store and scroll to the MAPS section. Here you can see a choice of map upgrades available. Tap on the additional map you’d like to buy and you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID/Touch ID/Google ID. Make sure that your payment information is correctly set up in iTunes or Google Play. Once you confirm the purchase, you will see a green checkmark next to the feature. Now it’s time to discover new places!

How to buy/extend Active Traffic?

From your driving screen, go to the Main Menu > Store and tap on ActiveTraffic. To purchase 1 year of ActiveTraffic, you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID/Touch ID/Google ID. Make sure that your payment information is correctly set up in iTunes or Google Play. Once you confirm the purchase, you will see a green checkmark next to the feature. Say goodbye to traffic jams!

Notes: CoPilot GPS customers will have to purchase the Unlimited 3D Voice-Guided Navigation upgrade before being able to purchase any additional maps and/or ActiveTraffic. Some apps may not have all in-app upgrades available. Please check directly in your app/appstore for current pricing. To find our more about licenses, please visit our help centre >

Your Guide to the Festive Season – Plan Ahead and Optimise Stops

Do you know you can easily find the best shops, restaurants and entertainment that are preloaded offline with CoPilot? You know you have to make a stop on the way to dinner to grab a Christmas gift plus to get petrol. With CoPilot on your phone or tablet, you’ll navigate through the festive season.

Before you head out, plan all your stops and we’ll reorder them in the best order. Just plug in where you are going and let CoPilot optimise it for you. Saving you time and money for presents! Oh, and don’t forget to save your trip to keep yourself organised for next year.

No need to drive around to find what you are looking for, you have a CoPilot this festive season.

The 5 Best Xmas Markets in Europe

What better way to get in the festive mood than to sip from a warm cup of mulled wine and browse for handcrafted gifts in a Xmas market? We have selected our top 5 Xmas markets across Europe to get you in the spirit. What is your favourite?

Visit Edinburgh this winter for a full family program of holiday events. See a festive theatre play, find your way through the Christmas tree maze, climb on an ice wall, try some regional products from the Scottish Market or go ice skating. We are sure you won’t get bored.

“Tions de Nadal a la Fira de Santa Llúcia (Barcelona)”, Date 7 December 2011, by Enfo, see https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tions_de_Nadal.jpg

Sunglasses, beach and sangria? Barcelona might not be the first destination that comes to mind when thinking about Xmas, but the city has much to offer during the festive season. Right next to the Catedral de Barcelona visit the Fira de Santa Llúcia Xmas market, take a glimpse at the big Caga Tió display and get a Caganer of your choice as a souvenir. The Catalans would definitely win the prize for strangest Xmas traditions if there were one.

If you are in Vienna in November and December, there is no escaping Xmas markets. You will find stands on every street corner offering a variety of snacks such as Lebkuchen, warm cidre and mulled wine as well as artisan gifts. The best markets are: Rathaus Christkindlmarkt, Spittelberg Weihnachtsmarkt and “Winter im MQ”. Remember to bring your hat, gloves and warm shoes as temperatures can easily fall below zero.

Scandinavia feels like the natural epicentre of Xmas in Europe, so the capital of Sweden must be represented in our top 5. Head to the Royal Palace, browse the craft stalls and snack on some pepparkaka gingerbread to enjoy some real Nordic flair. This destination has the highest likelihood of snow, so come prepared for cold weather.

The “Christkindelsmärik” in Strasbourg dates back to 1570 making it the oldest Xmas market in Europe. Head to the capital of Alsace for beautiful architecture, hearty food and a variety of markets. Don’t forget to try some bredele biscuits, a Christmas specialty.

10 Top Tips for Driving in Winter

With the seasons changing, driving requires much more than just being cautious. Sometimes your car needs attention too. Here are our top tips to avoid bad surprises this upcoming season:

1. Plan your route ahead of time

CoPilot allows you to plan up to 52 different stops. This helps you visualise how long it will take you to get to all your activities and make it home in time before any inclement weather. Preview your turns beforehand and make sure to keep checking your ETA along the way. Let others know when you’ll arrive and don’t rush! Try it out in Route > Plan.

2. Stock up on things you may need

Before you get behind the wheel, make sure your car is equipped with:

Flashlights

Window scraper

Blankets

Water

Snacks

Sunglasses against low sun glare

…and of course your phone charger!

3. Check the lights

Fall driving often means driving in low light, darkness, or inclement weather. Regularly clean your car’s lights and check that the bulbs are in good condition.

4. Refill cooling system

Check your coolant/antifreeze levels regularly before you start your drive to avoid engine damage. Make sure that the car is cooled off before you remove the cap on the coolant reservoir. Here is a handy how-to video here.

5. Check the brakes & tyres

Leaves, ice and snow on the roads are every driver’s enemies. Good tyres are therefore a must-have if you drive in the colder months. Make sure to check that the tread is deep enough and that the pressure is correct. Also look out for damage or bulges on the tyres due to glass, cuts, etc and replace if necessary. If you expect bad weather conditions in your area, you might want to invest in some winter or snow tyres.

6. Check all conditions

Weather, traffic, and road conditions will all play a major role in getting you where you need to go. Make sure to check those before you leave the house and have ActiveTraffic™ ready and activated. Find out more about ActiveTraffic >

7. Have the battery checked

The most common cause of breakdown in the colder months is battery failure. If your battery already has a few years under its belt, get it checked and replace if necessary.

8. Replace wiper blades

A clean windshield is essential for your road safety. Make sure that the wiper blades are in good condition and that the windshield washer fluid is filled up.

9. Tank half empty – Tank half full

Doesn’t matter how you see it – you need to keep half a tank of gas in your car at all times. This helps to avoid gas line freeze up as well as keeping your vehicle working during unexpected traffic or detours due to poor weather conditions. Search in Places to find gas stations on your route, tap Search > Petrol Station.

10. Stay home?

If you’re not comfortable driving in bad weather, just stay where you are and enjoy a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. CoPilot will be ready to go the next time you need to navigate anywhere.

Discover Incredible India with CoPilot

Travel from the glorious heights of the Himalayas, to the wonders of the Taj Mahal, desert sands in Jaisalmer, palmed beaches in Goa and the panoramic backwaters in Kerala for an unforgettable experience in India.

Escape the cold winter for a sunny, exotic holiday in India. Travel further and spend less with 50% off Map of India in-app upgradesin CoPilot GPS until 4th November 2016.

Let us take you on a tour:

Best time to visit: Peak travel season is between October to March

Transport: Jump in an auto-rickshaw for short trips. Book a car with your very own driver for longer journeys across states. Else, you can hire a motorbike or moped to explore like a local with CoPilot. Or just have some fun and ride an elephant! However you travel, let CoPilot guide you (& your driver) everywhere you go

Horn please: Drivers of any vehicle love to honk their horn, you’ll hear all kinds of different sounds so be sure to beep when you need to alert other drivers

Currency: The Indian Rupee (Rs) is only available on arrival so easily find your nearest ATM, bank and other points of interest with CoPilot

Language: Finding your way around can be a challenge, with street signs often not visible or in Hindi/state language, so find landmarks and let CoPilot show you the way in your own language

For Adventure Seekers

Manali, HimachalPradesh – Mother Nature’s Glory

Surrounded by high peaks, fresh rivers and steep forested hillsides, Manali’s landscape draws in adventurers searching for cool air and snowy mountains.

Good for: Nature, trekking, climbing, skiing, rafting and honeymoon

Things to do: Rejuvenate in hot water springs and baths, spot the wildlife, explore the old Manali and enjoy the laid back vibe in cafes.

For Travellers

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – The Yoga Capital of the World

Rishikesh is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and on the banks of the River Ganges with surrounding lush green forests. It’s known as the birthplace of yoga and has been a magnet for spiritual seekers ever since the Beatles rocked up in the town during the late ‘60s.

Good for: Nature, yoga, meditation, white-water rafting

Things to do: Explore around Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula bridges, visit ancient temples, shop for ethnic arts and handicrafts and bathe in the Ganges at Triveni Ghat.

For Historical Monuments

Agra, Uttar Pradesh – A Point on the Tourist Triangle

The Golden Triangle is a circuit through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur covering the three most visited cities in the north-west of India.

Good for: History, architecture, romance

Things to do: Agra attracts tourists from around the world to catch a once in a lifetime glimpse of the magnificent Taj Mahal. Architectural marvels also include the Agra Fort and moghul empire tombs. Also, shop for handicrafts at bustling bazaars.

For City Life

Mumbai, Maharashtra – The City of Dreams

Visit the wonderful, diverse and cosmopolitan city of Mumbai.

Mumbai is the country’s financial powerhouse, fashion epicentre, heart of the bollywood film industry plus a hub for shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Things to do: Mumbai’s chief “sight” is enjoying it’s street life. You can also wander along the boulevard at Marine Drive, see the arch of triumph Gateway of India monument , feel the sand between your toes at the popular Juhu Beach, spot the wildlife at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, shop for the trendiest clothes in Fashion street, Colaba or Bandra district, then end the night partying with the stars at Enigma nightclub.

Nearby places: Visit the spectacular ancient art sculptures and paintings of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For Couples

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan – The Golden City

Jaisalmer is situated in the heart of the Thar Desert and gets its name of the golden city from the golden honey coloured sandstone used for construction of the buildings.

Good for: Nature, history, architecture

Things to do: Stay in the Jaisalmer Fort, climb on a camel on a desert safari adventure, watch the sunset on sand dunes or take in the sights of the spectacular havelis.

For Beach Lovers

Goa, Maharashtra – Exotic Beaches

Tucked away into India’s west coast, Goa offers a unique blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures with idyllic turquoise waters and white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms.

Good for: Beaches, nature, nightlife, carnivals and new year’s celebrations

Best beaches: Popular long sandy beaches in the north are Arambol, Baga, Calangute and Candolim. More quiet beaches in the South incl Agonda, Palolem, Patnem and Varca beaches.

Things to do: Relax on the beach, take a tour of a spice plantation, see the impressive sights of Dudhsagar Waterfall, go island hopping by boat, explore the stunning cathedrals in Old Goa, stroll down the picturesque streets of the old portuguese quarter of Panjim, shop for handicrafts, jewellery and clothing at Anjuna’s famous flea market (every Wednesday) or dance the night away on the clubbing strip or beach shacks in Baga Beach.